USA > Vermont > Chittenden County > History of Chittenden County, Vermont, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 68
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L. F. Burich mich.
ALITTLE PHIL, A
561
TOWN OF COLCHESTER.
and grist-mill on the site of the Burlington Cotton Mill ; and the Green Moun- tain House, which stood where Dr. Richardson's house is, and was an old un- painted building. The old Allen house, Ira Allen's home, was half tumbling down. It was a great square building, in the old style, one and one-half stories high, was formerly painted white, and stood where Mr. Dyke's house now stands. It was removed about 1830. There was a great deal of timber on all sides of the village, and the land from St. Francis's Church to the railroad was entirely covered. The farm lands came to the two roads mentioned, and the sites of the present business blocks were cultivated fields. Moses Catlin, who lived where the Mary Fletcher Hospital now stands, owned most of the lands around the village, and many of the villagers worked for him by the day, getting out spars and square lumber for the Quebec market. The first store on the Colchester side was built by Mr. Weaver in 1834, on the site of the present Winooski block. The village owes much to Francis Le Clair. He came to Winooski in 1828, and has erected over one hundred and fifty houses, building as many as ten some seasons. By allowing them to pay in easy install- ments, he has furnished many poor families with pleasant homes.
The village was incorporated in December, 1866. The following were the first officers : William Kidder, secretary ; H. V. Horton, treasurer ; Allen Stone, collector ; George P. Woods, S. H. Weston, F. C. Kennedy, H. W. Bar- rett, Francis Le Clair, trustees ; P. P. Wilkins, A. J. Stevens, A. H. Bunker, Samuel Bigwood, A. C. Smith, fire wardens. The village is divided into the east, west, and south wards.
Professions .- H. F. Wolcott was born at Westfield, Ohio, in 1849, and was educated at Oberlin College. He studied law with O. E. Butterfield, of Wilmington, Vt., and was admitted to the bar in Windham county, Vt., in 1876. He practiced his profession there till 1883, when he removed to Wi- nooski, where he has since practiced. Mr. Wolcott is a member of the law firm of Wilbur & Wolcott, of Burlington, office at 46 North Winooski avenue. His Winooski office is in Weston's block, Main street.
H. N. Deavitt began the practice of law in Winooski in May, 1884. He was born at Richmond, Vt., in March, 1842, and graduated at the Barre Academy in 1861. Mr. Deavitt studied law with Luther Henry, of Waterbury, Vt., Jeremiah French, of Burlington, at the Albany Law School, and with Judge T. P. Redfield, of Montpelier. He was admitted to the bar in Wash- ington county, Vt., in March, 1866.
Dr. L. F. Burdick, the oldest medical practitioner in Colchester, and one of the oldest in the county, came to Winooski in November, 1852. Dr. Bur- dick was born in Ira, Rutland county, Vt., December 16, 1824, educated at the Gouverneur Academy, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., and at Union College. He studied medicine with Dr. Conkie, of Canton, N. Y., and Dr. S. C. With- erby, of Westford, Vt., and graduated at the Castleton Medical College in
562
HISTORY OF CHITTENDEN COUNTY.
1852. Dr. Burdick has been for a number of years one of the attending phy- sicians to the Mary Fletcher Hospital of Burlington. His office is at his house on Main street.
Dr. J. H. Richardson began the practice of medicine in Winooski in 1868. He was born at Barnard, Windsor county, Vt., in 1816, educated at Pomfret, Vt., in select schools and in the high school, studied medicine with Drs. Gibson and Benjamin Rush Palmer, both of Woodstock, Vt., and graduated at the Woodstock Medical College. His office is at his house on Allen street.
Dr. O. W. Peck was born in Montgomery, Vt., in 1854, and was fitted for college at the Barre Academy ; studying medicine, he graduated at the medi- cal department of the University of Vermont in 1880, and immediately began practice in Winooski. Office in Winooski block, Allen street.
Dr. W. G. Church, office in Winooski block, Allen street, was born in Jer- icho, Vt., in 1850. He graduated from the academical department of the University of Vermont in 1869 and from the medical department in 1878. His preceptor in medicine was Dr. G. W. Bromley, of Richmond, Vt. Dr. Church practiced in Middlesex, Vt., for the last six years and came to Winoo- ski in March, 1886.
Dr. Samuel Patenaude, located at the corner of Main and Allen streets, began the practice of medicine in Winooski in 1884. He was born at St. Johns, P. Q., in 1862, and educated at Pointe aux Tremble. He graduated at the medical department of the University of Vermont in 1884.
Dr. J. D. Delisle was born at Montreal in 1857 and was educated at Que- bec. He graduated from the Victoria Medical College, Montreal, in 1885, and began the practice of his profession in Winooski in the same year.
M. S. Kendall, dentist, office in Winooski block, was born at Reading, Windsor county, Vt., in 1838. He studied dentistry with Nathaniel Harris, of Middlebury, Vt., and opened his office in town more than twenty years ago.
Business Interests .- Burlington Woolen Company, F. C. Kennedy, agent, located at Winooski, see Burlington chapter on manufactures.
Burlington Cotton Company, W. H. Barrett, agent, located at Winooski, see same chapter.
The Walker & Hatch Lumber and Manufacturing Company, located at Winooski, see same chapter.
Winooski Brick Yard, Francis Le Clair, proprietor, see Burlington chapter.
Doubleday & Clement Brothers' Furniture Manufactory was established in Winooski by Doubleday & Hall in 1873. They were succeeded in 1877 by T. A. Doubleday, who was in 1884 succeeded by the present firm. The firm cut over 1,000,000 feet of lumber per year, and employ from sixty to seventy men in the manufacture of all kinds of cottage and parlor furniture. They make a specialty of ash and basswood goods, shipping them all over the United States. They also do a large export business with the West India Islands and South America.
563
TOWN OF COLCHESTER.
Edwards, Stevens & Co., iron founders and machinists, established in 1858, see Burlington chapter.
The Winooski Lumber and Water Power Company was incorporated some eighteen years ago with a capital stock of $60.000, $47,000 of which was taken by Colonel L. B. Platt, S. H. Weston and H. P. Hickok. After Colonel Platt's death J. F. Leonard purchased his interest and is at present manager for the company. In 1885 Walker & Hatch purchased of the company their water-power interest, with some four acres of land, on the right bank of the river just above the " upper dam." The company at present own considerable land, including the island above the falls.
The Winooski Gold and Silver Plating Works, on Canal street, were es- tablished in 1864 by George Hager. In 1874 he sold the business to David Mitchell, who has since carried it on, employing some of the time sixteen men. Mr. Mitchell also manufactures gold, silver and nickel-plated harness trim- mings of all kinds.
The Winooski Savings Bank, on Allen street, was incorporated in 1869. S. H. Weston is president ; H. W. Barrett, vice-president, and Ormond Cole, treasurer. The bank does a large business. The officers above named, to- gether with the following gentlemen, are trustees: J. H. Richardson, W. T. Herrick, A. J. Stevens, J. B. Small, O. P. Ray, W. L. Greenleaf, Samuel Big- wood and E. C. Mower.
Safford, Humphrey & Co., Corporation block, Main street, do an extensive business in dry goods, groceries, clothing, hats and caps, shoes and meats. The firm is made up of E. O. Safford, A. O. Humphrey and F. C. Kennedy. They purchased the business of H. W. Mason in 1881, employ nine clerks, and their annual sales amount to nearly $100,000.
J. C. Platt & Co., Main street, do a large business in dry goods and gro- ceries, boots and shoes. They carry, also, a full line of carpetings and oil- cloths. The business was established a number of years ago by Platt & Allen. In 1885 J. C. Platt's father, Hon. J. S. Platt, purchased the interest of Mr. Allen.
E. R. Crandall's drug store, Main street, was established in 1882. Mr. Crandall carries a full line of drugs and chemicals, and makes a specialty of physicians' prescriptions.
Herbert Parrizo, Main street, deals in dry and fancy goods. He opened his store in town in 1880.
H. L. Johonott's drug business, on Main street, was established in Winoo- ski over forty years ago, and has been carried on by Mr. Johonott for the last six years. He does a large business in drugs and medicines, and carries a line of spectacles and optical goods in general.
William Devino handles $10,000 worth of flour, feed and baled hay per annum in his feed store on Allen street. He employs three men in the store.
564
HISTORY OF CHITTENDEN COUNTY.
Carpentier Brothers - Frank, George and Henry B. - began the dry goods and grocery business in Winooski nineteen years ago. During this time their trade has steadily increased, till now they do a good wholesale business in fancy goods, notions and cigars. They carry a full general store stock, and keep three men on the road.
J. D. Tanner, Winooski block, began the drug business in the village in 1884. He carries a large stock of drugs and medicines, together with books and stationery, fancy and toilet articles.
A. A. Grave, Winooski block, succeeded in 1884 Francis Le Clair, who be- gan business forty-five years ago, in staple and fancy groceries, paper-hangings and curtains, silver-plated and steel cutlery.
Frank W. Macrae commenced the furniture business in Winooski in 1883 ; he occupies two stores in Winooski block, and deals extensively in all kinds of cottage and parlor furniture.
J. L. Devino, Allen street, carries a $3,000 stock of jeweler's goods, includ- ing watches, clocks, silverware and spectacles. He began business in the vil- lage three years ago.
W. R. Chambers & Co., corner of Main and Allen streets, began trade in Winooski in 1884. The business is boots, shoes and rubbers, of which a good stock is always kept on hand.
A. Dubuc has been in trade in Winooski since 1881, doing a good business in groceries and fancy goods. He is located on Main street and carries a stock of $500.
C. H. Shipman, Allen street, began the hardware business in the village in May, 1886. He carries a stock of $4,000 in hardware, tinware, paints and oils.
L. B. Platt, Main street, has been interested in mercantile business in Wi- nooski for more than twenty years. Since 1880 he has done a general business in dry goods and groceries, boots and shoes, making a specialty of clothing. Mr. Platt has also a market on Main street.
S. Bigwood & Son, Main street, carry a heavy line of hardware, stoves, tin- ware, paints and oils, manufacturing the tinware. Mr. Bigwood has been in business here twenty-five years.
Weston & Catlin, Main street, keep the oldest store and market in Wi- nooski, dealing in groceries and meats of all kinds. The business was estab- lished by Mr. Weston's father when Winooski village was simply "the falls," and their large store attests the growth of the interest.
The Stevens House, located on Main street, was built in 1864 by Edwards & Stevens; it is four stories high, and has accommodations for sixty guests. The present proprietor is James Evarts. The house does a good business and has always many guests during the summer season. A. J. Evarts is clerk.
The Winooski Graded School, in the sixth school district of the town of Colchester, is supported by both the town and village. A fine school is main-
S. H. WESTON.
565
TOWN OF COLCHESTER.
tained ; J. A. Hartigan is principal ; Miss T. L. Ouillinan, Miss J. B. Lonergan and Mrs. H. M. Bartram are assistants.
The Winooski Aqueduct Company, by which the village is supplied with water, see Burlington Woolen Company.
The fire department of the village, composed of two companies, is very effi- cient and dates from the incorporation of the latter, when a steamer was pur- chased.
Winooski Steamer Co. No. I. - Foreman, J. K. Nash ; first assistant, John Gleason ; second assistant, James Waterman ; engineer, C. D. Flint; first assist- ant engineer, F. W. Styles ; second assistant engineer, W. E. Gray; fireman, R. J. Stoddard ; secretary and treasurer, M. J. Coughlin ; auditor, M. J. Cough- lin ; steward, C. D. Flint.
Lafayette Hose Co. No. 2. - Foreman, Patrick McGreevy ; first assistant, Arthur Bovas; second assistant, Duffey Lavee; clerk, Joseph T. Mongeon ; treasurer, Peter Leclair.
The present officers of Winooski village are: Clerk, H. V. Horton; audi- tors, Peter Desantels, William Kidder ; trustees, east ward, A. J. Stevens, Sam- uel Bigwood ; south ward, C. Gordon, A. S. Webb; west ward, Henry La- vigne, jr., Joseph Niquette, jr .; fire wardens, W. L. Greenleaf, Louis Baraby, James McGrath.
Postmasters. - The first mention of a postmaster in the town of Colchester appears in Walton's Register for 1834, when John W. Weaver served his coun- try in that capacity. This was at the Center. From about 1836 to 1850 Cas- sius M. Phelps held the office, and was succeeded by George M. Sharp. His successors have been as follows : E. S. Hine, from about 1855 to 1861; John Scullin, from 1862 to 1867 ; A. C. Brownell, in 1868; John F. Day, from 1869 to 1876; F. L. Parsons, from 1877 to 1881; George Howard, in 1882; A. W. Howard, from 1883 to 1885; and Ira Lord, the present incumbent.
The inhabitants of Winooski Falls and village formerly obtained their mail largely from the Burlington office, which was for years located at the head of Pearl street. Walton does not mention any office there before 1848, when William B. Hatch was appointed. Since then the postmasters at Winooski have been Silas C. Isham, succeeding Mr. Hatch, from 1853 to 1854; Joseph B. Small, from 1855 to 1861 ; George P. Woods, 1862 to 1865; C. F. Storrs, 1866; G. T. Smith, 1867; L. B. Pratt, jr., from 1869 to 1877 ; James W. Edwards, from 1878 to the present time.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
Ecclesiastical History .- The First Congregational Church of Colchester, located at the Center, was organized September 14, 1804, in a school-house then standing near the village. The organization was effected by Rev. Benja- min Wooster, who was sent by the Connecticut Missionary Society to Vermont.
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HISTORY OF CHITTENDEN COUNTY.
The eight constituent members were Timothy Farrand, Friend Farrand, Nathan Wheeler, Polly Deming, Elizabeth Wheeler, Desire Wolcott, Lydia Austin, and a Mrs. Downing; most of them were from New Mitford and Derby, Conn. Nathan Wheeler was chosen the first deacon, holding the office un- til his death, in 1806. Edward Griffin was elected to succeed him, and until his removal from town in 1812 was the only deacon. The society worshiped in barns and school-houses till 1814, when the old school-house was built to be used for school and town purposes and also for public worship. The society, in connection with the Baptist Society, erected in 1838 a suitable brick church which served as a place of worship for both until 1861, when the Congregationalists purchased the interest of the Baptists in the building, and completely repaired the same ; it will seat two hundred persons. The so- ciety own a pleasant parsonage with two and a half acres of land. In 1885 the church and parsonage were repaired, at an expense of $600. The present officers of the church are Rev. Samuel H. Amsden, pastor; Holman Bates, deacon; R. J. Bates, superintendent of the Sabbath-school; Frederick Bates, clerk. The church at present has sixty-nine members, the Sabbath-school sixty, and the congregation averages 135.
The First Baptist Church of Colchester, located at the Center, was organ- ized January 19, 1820, with eight members. The Rev. Phineas Colver was the first pastor. The first house of worship was erected in 1830 in union with the First Congregational Church. The two societies continued to worship to- gether till 1861, when the Congregationalists purchased the interest of the Baptists in the structure. The Baptists immediately erected their present wood church at a cost of $3,000, capable of seating 275 people. The church is at present without a pastor, but services are kept up. John Crockett and Noah Thompson are deacons, and Mason O. Peck superintendent of Sabbath- school. The membership of the church is fifty-five, and of the Sabbath-school forty-five.
The First Methodist Church of Colchester is located at the Center. In 1 824 the few Methodists in town met together and held public worship with the Congregationalists and Baptists in an old school-house standing on the site of the present academy building. A Sabbath-school was at this time organ- ized, but met only in the summer months, and not regularly then. The first superintendent remembered was Ebenezer Spencer, a Baptist, followed by Charles Collins, who now resides near the Center. The first meeting-house was built in 1839; it was constructed of brick and cost $1,500. This served the society until 1869, when the present church edifice was erected, costing $2,500. The officers of the church are Rev. J. T. Baxendale, pastor; Mel- vin McHall, D. G. Huntress, leaders; F. S. Parsons, W. B. Parker, W. H. Baker, B. O. White, F. S. Smith, Homer Porter, George Horton, stewards ; Eliza Barstow, Anna Nelson, Sabbath-school superintendents; F. S. Parsons,
567
TOWN OF COLCHESTER.
F. S. Smith, Seth A. Cary, business committee. The church has at present seventy-six members. The following pastors have served the society: 1828, Rev. Lyman A. Sanford, Rev. Elias Sheldon; 1834-35, Elijah Crane ; 1835-36, Arunah Lyon, Lyman A. Sanford ; 1838-39, William N. Fraser, Andrew Weatherspoon; 1840-41, C. H. Leonards, Miller Fisk, Samuel Hughs, Aaron Hall; 1842-43, A. S. Cooper, A. F. Fenton, C. H. Gridly; 1846-47, J. L. Cook, D. B. Mckenzie; 1851-52, J. B. Whitney, W. R. Puffer; 1853-54, William N. Fraser, D. W. Gould, J. E. Kimball; 1856-57, Benjamin Cox ; 1859-60, L. M. Fisher; 1861-62, A. S. Cooper; 1864-65, C. F. Garvin; 1868-69, John Chase; 1870-71, John Chase; 1871-72, W. H. Hyde; 1873- 76, D. H. Bicknell; 1878-79, D. P. Bragg; 1880-81, J. C. Langford; 1883- 84, C. S. Hulburt. The following names of preachers are remembered, but not the dates of service: C. W. Cutler, Bishop Isbell, Will Clark, McKendree Petty, O. E. Spicer, G. C. Simmonds, Alexander Campbell, and Revs. Craig, Chester, Chamberlin, Pratt, Rogers, and Chamberlain.
The First Congregational Society of Winooski was formed November 9, 1836, Rev. Simeon Parmelee, D. D., being moderator of the meeting. . Twenty-three of the constituent members were a colony from the First Church of Burlington. H. P. Hickok was scribe of the first council, and Rev. Presi- dent Wheeler, of the University of Vermont, chairman of the first church meeting. The articles of association, drafted by the late Hon. George P. Marsh, were signed November 20, 1836. Dan Day was chosen deacon De- cember 13, 1836, and Sewall Kenny first clerk. A feature of the organization is that no tax can ever be laid upon the members of the society to meet ex- penses, article five reading : "The church shall be erected and kept in repair, the clergyman supported, and all other expenses of the society defrayed by the voluntary contributions of the members of the society, and such other persons as may be disposed to subscribe, and not by tax upon the niembers." Meetings were held from 1836 to 1840 in the brick school-house upon the Burlington side of the river. In 1840 the present brick church was erected upon Allen street. It cost $7,736.41, and will seat 250 persons. The church at present has 100 members, and the Sabbath-school 120, with a library of 550 volumes. The officers of the society are Rev. E. A. Squier, pastor ; James A. Parsons, of Essex, F. A. Thompson, and John Jewett, deacons ; A. O. Hood, superintendent of the Sabbath-school and clerk ; Dr. O. W. Peck, A. E. Richardson, Dr. J. H. Richardson, John Jewett, and J. B. Small, pru- dential committee.
The early history of Methodism in Winooski is somewhat obscure, though probably dating back to 1830-35. For many years there was Methodist preach- ing here by local preachers in adjoining towns, and services were first held over Duncan's blacksmith shop, then in Baxter's Hall, next in Hatch's Hall until the erection of the present church structure on Allen street. The First
568
HISTORY OF CHITTENDEN COUNTY.
Methodist Church of Winooski was organized about 1846 by S. R. Rathburn, H. Simmons, J. L. Hempstead, J. P. Newhall, Sherman Beach, and Rev. H. H. W. Smith as pastor. The following is the list of pastors who have served the society since its organization. In 1847, Rev. H. H. Smith ; in 1848, Rev. John Harlem ; in 1849, Rev. C. F. Burdick; in 1850-51, Rev. L. Marshall; in 1852, Rev. R. Griffin; in 1853, Rev. J. G. Phillips; in 1854-55, Rev. C. C. Bedell; in 1856-57, Rev. S. W. Clemens ; in 1860, Rev. G. A. Silverston ; in 1861-62, Rev. J. Fassett; in 1863-64, Rev. A. J. Ingalls ; in 1865, Rev. J. E. Metcalf; in 1866-67, Rev. D. Lewis; in 1868, Rev. N. O. Freeman ; in 1870, Rev. J. C. Walker; in 1871-72, Rev. A. J. Ingalls; in 1873, Rev. T. C. Pottes ; in 1874, Rev. M. Ludlum ; in 1875, Rev. J. G. Perkins; in 1876-77-78, Rev. A. Heath ; in 1879-80, Rev. S. D. Elkins ; in 1881-82, Rev. E. L. Walker; in 1883-84, Rev. D. C. Ayers; in 1885, Rev. J. G. Gooding. The first and present house of worship was dedicated in March, 1861 ; it is built of wood, cost $3,500, and seats 400 persons. The church officers are Rev. J. G. Good- ing, pastor ; Sidney H. Weston, John Rumsey, W. G. Sibley, C. S. Lord, J. F. Leonard, Fred Whiting, Ed. C. Greenleaf, John Mellor, D. D. Wentworth, Frank Mace, and E. Hull, stewards ; Sidney H. Weston, superintendent of the Sabbath-school. The society has 114 members and probationers, and the Sabbath-school 190 members.
The Trinity Mission of the Protestant Episcopal Church was organized in 1873 by Rev. E. R. Atwill, rector of St. Paul's Church, Burlington, with four communicants. The present wood chapel on East Union street was erected the same year ; it cost $3,000, and will seat 150 persons. The mission now has forty-two communicants and is under the care of Henry C. Hutchings, assist- ant minister of St. Paul's Church, Burlington.1
CHAPTER XXI.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF ESSEX."
T HE township of Essex was among the New Hampshire grants, and was chartered June 7, 1763. The original of this document is now extant. It begins, " George the Third, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, king, defender of the faith," etc., and bears the official signature of " Benning Wentworth, esq., our governor and commander-in-chief of our said province of New Hampshire," and the countersign of " T. Atkinson, junr., secretary." By the terms of the charter the township was to contain 23,040
1 St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church, see Burlington chapter on churches. St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church, see same chapter.
2 Prepared by L. C. Butler, M. D.
569
TOWN OF ESSEX.
acres, or to be six miles square, and was to be divided into seventy-two equal shares among as many grantees named in it, none of whom probably ever set foot on the territory thus granted. The reservations made in the charter were the governor's right, two shares; one share for a glebe for the Church of Eng- land; one share for the incorporated society for the propagation of the gospel in foreign parts ; one share for the first settled minister of the gospel ; and one for the benefit of schools. Each of these reservations contained 330 acres, save the governor's right, 500 acres. The charter also gave permission to hold two fairs annually, and a market, to be kept open one or more days in each week, as should be advantageous to the people, when there should be fifty families resident in town. There is no record, oral or written, that either of these English luxuries were ever enjoyed by the people of the town. The name of the town perpetuates that of some earl or baronet of England with whom the grantees were associated or familiar.
The first settlement in town, of which history or tradition gives any ac- count, was made early in the spring of 1783. Previous to the Revolutionary War emigrants came to this and adjoining towns with a view to settlement, but the opening war sent them all away to join in the battle for liberty and independence. Samuel Smith, and William, his brother, Jonathan Winchell, Dubartus Willard, and David Hall are believed to have been the first settlers of the town, and came here about the same time. They chose for their homes what has proved to be the richest and most productive portions of the town, the rich alluvial valleys of the Onion River, so called from the abundance of wild onions that grew upon its banks, and Brown's River. Here they built the first log houses, felled the first trees, and planted the first seeds. A little later, Lemuel Messenger, Samuel, Joseph and Jeremiah Sinclair, brothers, settled near each other in the same locality. Further down the Onion River, Joshua Stanton settled upon the " governor's right," occupying about four hundred acres of it. About the same period Joel Woodworth settled on Brown's River, and kept what is believed to have been the first " tavern." This "tavern " was located a short distance east of the bridge, near Joshua Whitcomb's. A little group of Lombardy poplars marked the spot for many years, but they have now disappeared. Further down the same river, Samuel, Amos, Tim- othy, Ira and Elias Bliss were the first settlers and gave that locality the name of " Bliss street " and " Bliss school district," which it still retains. Their de- scendants are numerous, the families large and prominent in social life, in church and town affairs; public spirited, and liberal promoters of whatever tended to advance the prosperity of the town. Adjoining these farms were those of Abel Castle, father, and Marshall, his son, the eldest of a very large family. "Uncle Abel," as the father was familiarly called, lived and died on the farm where he settled, leaving as many children and grandchildren as he was years of age at his death, ninety-five. Marshall died advanced in age, leaving
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